A Uniform Theory of Conditionals: Beyond Stalnaker - Will Starr
A Uniform Theory of Conditionals: Beyond Stalnaker - Will Starr
A Uniform Theory of Conditionals: Beyond Stalnaker - Will Starr
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<strong>Stalnaker</strong> on the Direct Argument Two Kinds <strong>of</strong> <strong>Conditionals</strong> <strong>Stalnaker</strong>’s Analysis A New Analysis References<br />
Two Kinds <strong>of</strong> <strong>Conditionals</strong><br />
Indicative and Subjunctive<br />
‘Indicative’ <strong>Conditionals</strong><br />
(5) a. If Bob danced, Leland danced<br />
b. If Bob is dancing, Leland is dancing<br />
‘Subjunctive’ <strong>Conditionals</strong><br />
Past (looking) antecedent + modal consequent<br />
(6) a. If Bob had danced, Leland would have danced<br />
b. If Bob had danced, Leland might have danced<br />
c. If Bob had danced, Leland could have danced<br />
d. If Bob danced, Leland would dance<br />
e. If Bob were to dance, Leland would dance<br />
<strong>Stalnaker</strong> on the Direct Argument Two Kinds <strong>of</strong> <strong>Conditionals</strong> <strong>Stalnaker</strong>’s Analysis A New Analysis References<br />
Two Kinds <strong>of</strong> <strong>Conditionals</strong><br />
Felicitous After Denying Antecedent?<br />
(7) a. # Bob never danced. If Bob danced, Leland<br />
danced.<br />
b. # Bob isn’t dancing. If Bob is dancing, Leland is<br />
dancing.<br />
(8) a. Bob never danced. If Bob had danced, Leland<br />
would have danced.<br />
b. Bob never danced. If Bob had danced, Leland<br />
might have danced.<br />
Felicitous After Denying Antecedent?<br />
1 Indicative conditionals? ×<br />
2 Subjunctive conditionals? ̌<br />
<strong>Will</strong>iam <strong>Starr</strong> | A <strong>Uniform</strong> <strong>Theory</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Conditionals</strong> | Modality Seminar | Cornell University 15/69<br />
<strong>Will</strong>iam <strong>Starr</strong> | A <strong>Uniform</strong> <strong>Theory</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Conditionals</strong> | Modality Seminar | Cornell University 16/69<br />
<strong>Stalnaker</strong> on the Direct Argument Two Kinds <strong>of</strong> <strong>Conditionals</strong> <strong>Stalnaker</strong>’s Analysis A New Analysis References<br />
Two Kinds <strong>of</strong> <strong>Conditionals</strong><br />
The Subjunctive Suggestion<br />
The Subjunctive Suggestion<br />
Assertions <strong>of</strong> if Bob had danced, Leland would have danced<br />
<strong>of</strong>ten suggest that Bob didn’t dance.<br />
• Evidence for the suggestion?<br />
• Infelicity <strong>of</strong> asserting that Bob did dance and then<br />
asserting the subjunctive conditional<br />
(9) # Bob definitely danced. If Bob had danced, Leland<br />
would have danced.<br />
• As discussed earlier in semester, this suggestion isn’t<br />
an entailment or presupposition<br />
<strong>Stalnaker</strong> on the Direct Argument Two Kinds <strong>of</strong> <strong>Conditionals</strong> <strong>Stalnaker</strong>’s Analysis A New Analysis References<br />
Two Kinds <strong>of</strong> <strong>Conditionals</strong><br />
Ingredients <strong>of</strong> a Subjunctive Antecedent<br />
(10) a. If Bob had danced, Leland would have danced<br />
b. If Bob were to dance, Leland would dance<br />
c. If Bob danced, Leland would dance<br />
• Antecedents: past tense look, not past meaning<br />
(11) Bob died yesterday. If he had died tomorrow instead,<br />
he would have been 98 years old.<br />
• Not possible w/genuine past tense had died<br />
(12) Yesterday I went to the Black Lodge. By the time I<br />
got there, Bob had died, but Cooper hadn’t.<br />
(13) # I will go to the Black Lodge tomorrow. By the time<br />
I get there, Bob had died, but Cooper hadn’t.<br />
<strong>Will</strong>iam <strong>Starr</strong> | A <strong>Uniform</strong> <strong>Theory</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Conditionals</strong> | Modality Seminar | Cornell University 17/69<br />
<strong>Will</strong>iam <strong>Starr</strong> | A <strong>Uniform</strong> <strong>Theory</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Conditionals</strong> | Modality Seminar | Cornell University 18/69
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